The Wolves came back from down 12 points in the 4th quarter to defeat Blake Griffin's division-leading LA Clippers 101-98 on a last second buzzer beating 3 pointer by Kevin Love in front of a sold out crowd at Staples Center.

I was listening to the WCCO radio broadcast as the Wolves staggered behind the Clippers for most of the game trailing by double-digits. By the 4th quarter I was already in bed, lights out, but I just couldn't turn the game off. This wouldn't have happened over the past few years, but this team has got something.

Then the Timberlobos made a run. Ricky Rubio hadn't scored all game, but he started getting to the line, hitting free throws in the clutch. Finally, in the closing minute, Rubio hit his only basket from the field - a GAME-TYING 3 POINTER.

Billups tried to run out the remaining clock, missed a potential game-winner, and KLove grabbed the rebound with 1.5 seconds left. Coach Adelman's final play somehow got KLove alone off the inbounds pass for the clincher and a highlight clip to boost Love's All-Star stock.

That's 3 in a row for the Timberlobos.

Two years ago, I was shooting pool at The Park Tavern in St. Louis Park, MN when I overheard a guy say that he had bet $500 that the Timberwolves would win three-in-a-row at some point that season. Every time the team won two-in-a-row that year, I thought of him. And every time, they lost the third. Tonight, I hope that guy found his way through some double-or-nothings.

The Wolves are also 7-5 since losing their first three games (by a combined 9 points). Almost a quarter of the way through this strike-shortened season, they're just one game below .500. I joked to a friend just yesterday that mediocrity never felt so good - and it's true coming off three seasons as the NBA's doormat.

But win-loss records aside, you can see this team is more than mediocre. They got something. The tenacity of Kevin Love. The spark and sizzle of Rubio - El Kid. The relentlessness of Ridnour. The dark horse Darko (season high 22 points tonight). The strength of Derrick Williams. The Able Man Rick Adelman. Hey man, this is fun.

But I think Ricky, in his surprisingly poignant English and mature professionalism which are becoming as dependable as, well, El Kid himself in the clutch, said it best in the WCCO postgame interview: that the Timberlobos have been in these situations already this season - playing from behind, tight 4th quarters, final shots - and "we learn," he said.

We learn.

So far, that is the difference between this year's team and those talented, young squads previous. The ability to learn and build from both early setbacks and success.

When I lived in Madrid, this back in 2003, my then-girlfriend and I were surprised by a promotion on the Aquarius soft drink cans:

LIVE ONE WEEK IN MEMPHIS WITH PAU GASOL

Memphis is a great American city. But we wondered if it had international appeal. Would a free trip to Memphis inspire the kind of consumer demand among Spaniards that the advertisers sought?

I was reminded of this promotion when Ricky Rubio was deciding between signing with the Timberlobos or staying in Barcelona and waiting for a different opportunity to play in New York, Los Angeles, or Miami.

And I wondered: How attractive could Minnesota seem to the Spanish youngster?

During the two years that Ricky stayed in Spain fulfilling his contract, I worried that he would decide not to come to Minnesota. (Understand my Spanish friends: such is the pessimism of small-market sports fans in the USA.)

The truth is that Minnesota has a lot to praise. And it's cool to hear Ricky already speaking well of both the place and the people in interviews. With his excellent English, he is integrating himself very well, getting along with his teammates and with the community.

I love this video of Ricky and Anthony Tolliver visiting the Children's Hospital of Minneapolis. I currently work at Children's Hospital in Boston. I've seen the influence these hard court heroes can have when they take time to inspire those who most need the inspiration. It's a simple act with sensational impact.

Volunteering will also help Ricky get to know his new home better. It means that he won't just experience the Target Center, its surrounding bars, cold, and snow - he'll also connect with our community, with actual Minnesotans.Six years ago today, I began a 17-month walkabout through Latin America. This journey continues to inform the person I am today - above all, perhaps, were the times along the way when I volunteered, giving back to the communities that housed me.

Ricky's journey, ultimately, will add up to more than basketball, too.

The Spanish word CONVIVIR means "to live with" in a mutually supportive sense; living equally, side by side.

It seems this is what Ricky Rubio is starting to do in Minnesota: CONVIVIR. It is a foundation of teamwork as much for basketball as for our global society. So the Timberlobos aren't the only ones who win with CONVIVIR. We all do.

Friends in Spain: How surprising is it to defeat the two most powerful teams in Texas? As surprising as it is satisfying. Hear me. I already told you the Mavs were last year's champs. And the Spurs possess 4 titles since the Tim Duncan era began in 1999.

What's more: Texas is known for arrogance and privilege when it comes to sports (ok, not just sports). They have three NBA teams, two baseball, and two football. They even robbed Minnesota of a hockey team - took them to the Dallas desert - which would be like moving Real Madrid to Canada. These things shouldn't happen.

So to see the Timberwolves, one of the most pathetic and hopeless franchises in NBA history, win back-to-back games IN TEXAS. Well, it's still early to celebrate, this strange and shortened season has barely begun, and keep in mind that many months remain to determine what this talented young group is made of... but tonight, my fellow Timberlobos fans and I are feeling muy bien.

Three games into the season and it's clear: Ricky Rubio is fun to watch. He's good, too. But there's a long way to go before we see his true potential and impact on the Timberlobos. 'Fun to watch,' however, puts him in rare air: those players from whom we expect the unexpected. What does fun to watch matter? The Timberlobos have sold out consecutive games at home for the first time since the Garnett era. Minnesota fans are coming back to basketball. Now if we can just put some wins on the board.